In one of the most dramatic last-day recoveries of overall team standings in the event records, Peru, which was placed fifth yesterday, won the largest junior surfing event in the sport’s history.

After five consecutive years of Australian domination, the local squad showed for the second ISA event in row that Peruvian surfing talent is capable of exceeding world standards.

Seven months after winning the 2010 ISA World Surfing Games, Peruvians showed themselves as tough opponents when surfing their waters. High quality surfing aided by deep knowledge of their hometown waves, were the foundations of their victory. Five surfers started the day, with four of them made it to the three division finals.

The seventh and final day of the event was held at Caballeros with solid and very consistent 8 to 10-foot waves all day long.

France wins U18 Girls division
Surfing against talented South African and Australian surfers, Canelle Boulard’s surfing level shined in the Girls Under 18. Her powerfull backside was strong and in perfect synch with the waves of Caballeros.

Boulard started and finished strong with a combined score of 13.86, leaving Bianca Buitendag from South African in second, Nikki Van Dijk in third and Codie Klein in fourth, both from Australia. Canelle’s defeat of the South African and Australian girls was a turning point in the fight for the Team Gold prize between Australia, South Africa and Peru.

“This is amazing, I don’t know what to say or even what to feel!” Said Boulard. “This is my last year as an Under 18. I’ve tried before to win it and my dream has finally come true! I just can’t believe it.”

Toledo Brings the Gold Back to Brazil
In the Under 16 Boys division, Brazilian Felipe Toledo put an end to the hopes of the locals after flying high once again to win a last minute final. He left Dylan Lightfoot from South Africa in second and Peruvians Joaquín del Castillo and Juninho Urcia in third and fourth respectively.

At that moment of the competition, the 3rd and 4th place of the Peruvians, was a bad scenario for the local team gold aspirations. But the fight wasn’t over. An emotional Toledo, with tears in his eyes, said “I was dreaming about this and I did it, it’s just simply unbelievable! I want to thank all the Brazilian Team, my Dad who taught me how to surf and everybody who supports me. It was a tough final but I made it.”

Cristobal De Col Secures the Peruvian Gold
The Under 18 final and most of the tournament in the U18 boys was dominated by Cristbal de Col from the beginning until the end. His backside was again in harmony with the big waves of Caballeros. De Col won the championship with stunning moves and great timing, as part of his true power surfing. His victory secured the Peruvian Team gold medal.

“The Gold is Peruvian, the Cup stays at home,” said de Col. “Many people told me this was my tournament and I felt it inside, I even dreamed about it, and now here I am. I’ve surfed all my life; it’s my source of fun and I know this is just the beginning of everything. This Gold is historic for my country and I’m happy for the teamwork we showed in the last days.”

Closing Ceremony
Once the surfing was over, the Closing Cermony took place. ISA’s Director General Bob Mignogna read a message from ISA President Fernando Aguerre, who had to leave earlier for California due to family matters. “We have had the largest amount of junior surfers from around the world in history,” he said. “We have had the most consistent and powerful waves. We have the largest media audience in history, with over 100% more webcast viewers than last year. And the organizers working together with the ISA have hosted an impeccable event.

Aguerre added “The ISA belongs to all of us here today, but also to the millions of surfers around the world who are the solid foundations of the ISA, and to their family and friends. We are all working together for a better surfing future, and this event is a confirmation that we are on the right path. The Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship is the true and only coming together of surfers from the five continents,” ended Aguerre.

The team final results were kept secret until the Closing Ceremony. When the MC announced that the trophy would remain in Peru, the public went crazy and so did all the team members.

Peru has now been added to the list of Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Champion nations: